We were up early enough; the fridge made sure of that. The woman at the front desk last night led me to believe she had upgraded our room, but we got what we paid for minus a deluxe breakfast that I wasn’t expecting anyway. We had a few days’ worth of meals brought with us, but Caleb figured it was time for a treat, so we stopped in Chesterfield to eat and have lunch for later.

It was 56°F when we stepped outside, and I was glad to have my hoodie readily available to put on. I dropped the room key on the front desk after ringing the bell but promptly left to get on the two-lane road where we would spend the majority of our day. My cheddar biscuits seemed like the baker had replaced the flour with cheese, and thanks to the kids in the booth next to us, we also got stickers.

Our first planned stop is Graham Cave State Park, where no tour guide is needed. We walked back to the visitor’s center, which is only open when a ranger is available, and he happened to drive by and offer to let us in. This park is one of only three in the state that has sandstone glades and was once owned by his family before being donated, making the amenities free to the public.

There are at least one hundred dead ladybugs on the window sill and one very excited puppy at the trailhead. Before reaching the 10,000-year-old cave, I spot a bunny in the bushes. Once below the 20 feet of accessible overhang (the rest fenced off to keep out collectors), I see an American robin chick peeking at me from its nest. We see a variety of purple flowers, British teeth mushrooms, and a Cookie Monster tree.

We stopped just outside the exit as Caleb forgot to put our next park in the GPS. I attempt to wave off the homeowner, letting him know we’re ok, but he walks towards us anyway. We are saved from the conversation by an approaching van. There is a semi-truck being loaded onto a tow truck on Hwy 40 E, and it has traffic stopped for at least four miles, to the point that kids are playing with a ball on the road while they wait.

It wasn’t until we got to Stephens Lake Park that I noticed we were behind schedule, arriving an hour after I had us leaving, so we compromised and walked half the park instead of the perimeter. I got to see a swarm of bees working on a new hive in the same tree as a wool sower gall (with wasp larvae inside) and a bunch of fox squirrels running around. It’s a nice park on a beautiful day, and there is art, ponds, and a birthday party setting up, but I feel rushed knowing we have mileage to meet.

The road has perceivably no turns as we drive over 200 miles to Loess Bluff NWR, where the temperature is 66°F and I can take my hoodie off. I had planned on stopping at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, but again, we were late, and the parking situation seemed impossible, so we bypassed it for a park with a driving tour. Caleb couldn’t confirm if it was a dirt road, though, so we gladly enjoyed a hike with a view.

We had the parking lot to ourselves under sunny skies that we only got once we reached the city of over 400,000 residents. We enjoyed the climb (the stretch it provided) and the quiet with only birds rustling through the tall grass. Back on the road, there’s a new sign: state law – buckle up – phone down. The radio mutes the word “chains,” and the clouds look the wispy opposite of Bob Ross’s happy ones.

I had started to drift in thought while Caleb continued to update our directions and find a place for the night. We have been driving past the planned points, but tonight, we will settle in the middle as I start to get tired of towing and ready to eat. I ring the bell and find the desk clerk cutting up a red pepper. He takes what info he needs while letting me know that the Peonies Festival used to run this place when they were shipped via train, mail order only.

When flowers and trains stopped being cool (someone else’s lame opinion), the town shifted to popcorn and now supplies 52% of all microwaveable bags across the US. The corn-based festival is in September, and people are already booking rooms, so we have something to return for. On the table is a list of local attractions and less than a block away offers a “fried egg” sundae, so of course we go.

They closed hours ago and will be closed tomorrow. We walk a while so we can see the closed and dusty shops, one with plants growing thick in the window. The theater offers movies on weekends for $4. I peek in the window and do the same at the library. This town is adorable, but my hunger is grabbing my attention. We return to the room with a mat for shoes and a mirror that lights up. I’ll put my feet up while Caleb boils water.

P.S. I found a tiny tick (possibly 2 – 3mm) on me that has now moved on.